There was a feeling of despair as Chris Johnson’s shot began to go through the hoop.
Then an overwhelming relief as, somehow, the ball popped back out and the buzzer sounded.
Who knows how it happened? And honestly, who cares? At least if you are an Otago Nuggets fan.
It allowed the Nuggets to escape with a 73-71 win over the Auckland Huskies in Auckland on Saturday night.
Two nights after putting on a clinic in a win over the Franklin Bulls, this time around things did not come so easy for the Nuggets.
The offence stuttered and scoring did not come freely.
Down the stretch, in particular, they faltered — struggling to generate a decent shot in the final two minutes.
However, and importantly, they held the Huskies scoreless at the other end through the same period.
Indeed, right throughout, they dug in to hold the Huskies to just 71 points and do enough — just enough — to move to a 5-3 record and remain well in the playoff race.
Shooting well can often be what dictates which side wins a basketball game.
But finding ways to win when you are not shooting well is key for good teams.
Nuggets coach Brent Matehaere was happy with the team’s ability to do that.
"Really happy that we came away with two wins from the road trip," he said.
"Obviously, that was the goal to go up there and get two wins.
"I felt we had that game right throughout.
"I felt we were pretty much the team that were able to win it, but we almost clutched defeat out of the jaws of victory.
"To have those last three possessions where we didn’t even get a shot up was very frustrating.
"But obviously we played tough enough defence to hold them to 71 points and gave ourselves a chance on a poor offensive night to come away with the points."
Josh Aitcheson (12 points) gave the Nuggets a strong start both getting to the hoop and hitting from deep.
However, the Huskies took a 19-17 lead to the break as Brook Ruscoe (11 points) and 16-year-old sensation Dontae Russo-Nance (eight points) got going.
The side played a large portion of the second quarter without Sam Timmins, coach Brent Matehaere opting for caution with the big man on two fouls.
However, the team was able to hold its own without its star centre.
Geremy McKay (12 points) and Akiva McBirney-Griffin (four points) both battled well and the Nuggets led 39-35 at halftime.
Timmins returned to show his class in finishing around the hoop and coming up with a monster block down the stretch.
It allowed him to finish with 21 points, on 10/15 shooting, and eight rebounds.
However, Auckland hung around and Johnson looked to pull momentum back with a three and huge dunk early in the fourth quarter.
They were two of a series of big plays from the former NBA player in the fourth quarter.
He finished with 22 points and 11 rebounds, while very nearly hitting a match-winner.
The side returns home next week for a derby match against the Southland Sharks.
